Tehran, Aug 26 - Minister of Industry and Mines Eshaq Jahangiri here Monday said that with the 30 percent, the automobile industry registered the highest growth rate among all the sectors in the economy in the last Iranian year (ended March 20).

Speaking at the inauguration ceremonies for opening of three new assembly lines at 'Iran-Khodro' industrial group, he added that the sector will play a pivotal role in the country's industrialization drive.

He said the outcomes of the right policies, including increased attention to quality, price, after-sale services, competitiveness as well as schemes to enter into joint production with foreign automobile and parts manufacturers are beginning to pay div idends.

He said there are about 2,000 parts manufacturers in the country and the number of automobile produced will increase from the 500,000 units last year to over 700,000 units this year.

The industry employs about 500,000 people, Jahangiri said adding that the companies in addition to removing technical defects are striving to compete in international markets.

On the environment issue, Jahangiri said the companies have also taken important steps to upgrade their environmental standards and metinternational regulations.